A Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy was caught on camera last month shooting a Riverdale resident’s pet dog, in their own yard.

The incident happened on August 16th, around 10am when Sheriff’s Deputies were responding to a call about a crying child.

Trisha Newman told Fresno People’s Media she woke up to the sound of gunfire in her backyard.

“I woke up to a gun shot by my back door. I jumped up as did my boyfriend we flung the door open to see a deputy chasing my dog down.”

I then seen the deputy as he shot Face again as he was CHASED to the gate. We then began to question what had happened . We were then told that the child was in danger and that they had to kill my dog . I was shocked. They then threatened the child’s mother with calling cps and removing the child for the child being endangered. The deputy when questioned by the Sargent(Collins) said that he shot the animal by our gate and that the dog attacked him. Both the deputy and Sargent were both rude and blamed us.

The family is demanding justice for their dog on the Facebook page Justice 4 Face.

THIS MORNING A FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY SHOT MY DOG FIVE TIMES…..IN MY BACK YARD ….BEHIND A LOCKED GATE IN FRONT A A TWO YR OLD KID …..
YOU KNOW I USED TO BELIEVE THAT COPS WERE GOOD …SUPPOSED TO BE HONEST AND PROTECT YOU AND STUFF….BUT LATLEY I HAVE HAS DEPUTIES LIE IN REPORTS THEY HAVE WRITTEN….LIE ON THE STAND AND N9W TRESSPASS INTO MY BACKYARD ….THREW MY LOCKED GATE….KICK MY DOG THEN SHOOT HIM FIVE TIMES IN FRONT OF A TWO YR OLD KID THEY WERE HERE TO PROTECT BECAUSE OF A NEIGHBORS COMPLAINT…

On Aug. 16, 2015, a Fresno County Deputy shot a beloved family pet, Face, in his own backyard in front of a 2 yr old child. An incident report has not been made available, but news sources report the Sheriff’s Department was responding to a welfare check based on a report of a child crying. Surveillance video shows deputies walk past the front door of the home, unlock & enter a gate posted with a “Beware of Dog” sign, and shoot Face at least twice. His injuries were fatal, but he was still breathing; the family had to request his suffering end and watch their family pet be shot 3 more times.

Face was more than “just a dog”. Left in a barrel as a puppy by a family who moved away, he was rescued by his new family and quickly became a huge part of their lives. This family is no stranger to tragedy. Having had a son who shot himself just 4 yrs ago, and now their friend’s 2 yr old so close to gunfire, witnessing the shooting of Face has been beyond devastating and will deeply effect both families for years to come.

In California, other departments have implemented canine encounter training programs. With the DOJ estimating that 25-30 dogs are shot by law enforcement every day in the United States, and approximately 42% of households having at least one pet, policies need to change to protect the public as well as law enforcement agencies. States such as Colorado, Texas, and Ohio have passed bills for mandatory canine encounter training to differentiate between threatening and non-threatening dog behaviors, as well as to employ non-lethal means whenever possible.

Please join us in signing this petition to raise awareness and show Fresno County how important it is that they review their policies and implement training. It’s not just a matter of another dog being shot. These are our pets, our loyal family members. When they are ripped from our lives, it’s not something we ever get over; the emotional effects are devastating. This was a completely avoidable catastrophe. The deputies involved need to be held responsible for their actions, including putting other people’s lives at risk, and to be terminated for their negligence.

A supporter of the family on the Facebook Page reached out to the Sheriff’s Department and got this response:

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